IL-11 protects human microvascular endothelium from alloinjury in vivo by induction of survivin expression

IL-11 can reduce tissue injury in animal models of inflammation but the mechanism(s) is unknown. When C.B-17 SCID/beige mice bearing human skin grafts are injected i.p. with human PBMC allogeneic to the donor skin, infiltrating T cells destroy human microvessels by day 21. Intradermal injection of human IL-11 (500 ng/day) delays the time course of graft microvessel loss without reducing the extent of T cell infiltration. Protective actions of IL-11 are most pronounced on day 15. IL-11 has no effect on T cell activation marker, effector molecule, cytokine expression, or endothelial ICAM-1 expression. IL-11 up-regulates the expression of survivin, a cytoprotective protein, in graft keratinocytes and endothelial cells. Topical application of survivin antisense oligonucleotide down-regulates survivin expression in both cell types and largely abrogates the protective effect of IL-11. We conclude that in this human transplant model, IL-11 exerts a cytoprotective rather than anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory effect mediated through induction of survivin.     

IL-11 activates human endothelial cells to resist immune-mediated injury

IL-11, a gp130-signaling cytokine, is protective in several in vivo models of immune-mediated and inflammatory injury. HUVECs express IL-11 receptor alpha-chain and gp130. Human IL-11 causes rapid (2-10 min) tyrosine phosphorylation of gp130. IL-11 at 0.1 and 10 ng/ml induces tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3 and STAT1, respectively, although maximal responses require 50 ng/ml. Phospho-STAT3 and phospho-STAT1 levels peak rapidly (2.5 min) and disappear by 60 min. The p42 and p44 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are phosphorylated in response to 0.3 ng/ml IL-11 with maximal activation at 30 ng/ml IL-11. Phosphorylation of p42 and p44 MAPKs, which can be prevented by a mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-related kinase kinase-1 inhibitor, peaks by 15-20 min and largely disappears by 40 min. IL-11 does not activate NF-kappaB nor does it inhibit NF-kappaB activation by TNF. Similarly, IL-11 neither induces E-selectin or ICAM-1 nor blocks induction by TNF. Although IL-11 does not alter class I MHC complex molecule expression, pretreatment with 0.5 ng/ml IL-11 partially protects HUVECs against lysis by allospecific class I MHC-restricted cytolytic T lymphocytes or by anti-class I MHC Ab plus heterologous C. IL-11-induced cytoprotection is protein synthesis dependent and may depend on mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-related kinase kinase-1. Our results indicate that low (i.e., STAT3- and MAPK-activating) concentrations of IL-11 confer resistance to immune-mediated injury in cultured HUVECs without inhibiting proinflammatory responses.     

Sequence stratigraphic analysis and sea-level history of the Upper Jurassic deposits (Mozduran Formation), south of Aghdarband,NE Iran

Abstract

The Kopet-Dagh Basin is a large sedimentary basin in northeastern Iran that host the giant Khangiran and Gonbadli gas fields. The Mozduran Formation with its various sedimentary facies is an important reservoir widely distributed in the basin. A sedimentological analysis of Upper Jurassic Mozduran Formation resulted in an accurate reconstruction of the sedimentary environments and the sequence stratigraphic framework south of Aghdarband. The strata consist of six different facies associations including 12 carbonate, one evaporate and two siliciclastic subfacies. On the basis of their various components, structural and textural characteristics, these facies were deposited on a homoclinal ramp in tidal flat to open marine environments ranging from supratidal to subtidal settings. Facies A1 and A2 represent open marine, B1-B4 Shoal, C1-C4 lagoonal and D1, D2, E, T1 and T2 tidal flat and Salina environments. In addition, based on detailed field and laboratory studies on the facies architecture, several large-scale (long-term) depositional sequences could be distinguished in the stratigraphic sections of the study area. These sequences are composed of LST, TST and HST that are separated by a SB1 and SB2 sequence boundaries. The paleogeography of the study area during the Late Jurassic time is reconstructed in five block diagrams.     

Early Tertiary mammals from North Africa reinforce the molecular Afrotheria clade

The phylogenetic pattern and timing of the radiation of mammals, especially the geographical origins of major crown clades, are areas of controversy among molecular biologists, morphologists and palaeontologists. Molecular phylogeneticists have identified an Afrotheria clade, which includes several taxa as different as tenrecs (Tenrecidae), golden moles (Chrysochloridae), elephant-shrews (Macroscelididae), aardvarks (Tubulidentata) and paenungulates (elephants, sea cows and hyracoids). Molecular data also suggest a Cretaceous African origin for Afrotheria within Placentalia followed by a long period of endemic evolution on the Afro-Arabian continent after the mid-Cretaceous Gondwanan breakup (approx. 105-25 Myr ago). However, there was no morphological support for such a natural grouping so far. Here, we report new dental and postcranial evidence of Eocene stem hyrax and macroscelidid from North Africa that, for the first time, provides a congruent phylogenetic view with the molecular Afrotheria clade. These new fossils imply, however, substantial changes regarding the historical biogeography of afrotheres. Their long period of isolation in Africa, as assumed by molecular inferences, is now to be reconsidered inasmuch as Eocene paenungulates and elephant-shrews are here found to be related to some Early Tertiary Euramerican 'hyopsodontid condylarths' (archaic hoofed mammals). As a result, stem members of afrotherian clades are not strictly African but also include some Early Paleogene Holarctic mammals.     

Melatonin concentrations in relation to oxidative status and oocyte dynamics in the ovary during different reproductive phases of an annual cycle in carp Catla catla

The present study on carp Catla catla is the first attempt to search for a relationship between the concentrations of melatonin, oxidative status, and oocyte dynamics in the ovary of any fish. We measured the levels of melatonin, different antioxidative agents, and the marker of intracellular stress along with the profiles of different developmental stages of oocyte in the ovary of adult carp during four distinct phases in an annual reproductive cycle. Ovarian melatonin titers displayed significant seasonal variations with a peak during spawning and nadir during post-spawning, and thereby underlined its proximity to the course of ovarian development. A significant positive correlation was found between the ovarian levels of melatonin and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione transferase (GST), although each of them showed a negative correlation with the level of malondialdehyde (MDA)—a faithful indicator of intracellular stress. However, ovarian melatonin titers did not exhibit any correlation with the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Collectively, our findings suggest that melatonin measured in carp ovary may be associated with an enhanced activity/level of selective antioxidative agents for reduction in oxidative stress to augment ovarian functions during the spawning.     

Upper Maastrichtian depositional environments and sea-level history of the Kopet-Dagh Intracontinental Basin, Kalat Formation, NE Iran

The Kopet-Dagh Basin is located in northeastern Iran and southern Turkmenistan. The Late Maastrichtian Kalat Formation caps the Cretaceous interval in this Basin. Based on eight measured stratigraphic sections, the depositional environments and the sea-level history of the Kalat Formation have been interpreted. Petrographic and field observations led to identification of four major carbonates (A–D) and two siliciclastic lithofacies types. Carbonate rocks were deposited on a ramp setting within three zones including restricted and semi-restricted lagoons, bars, and open marine environments, while the siliciclastics were deposited at the shoreline. Sequence stratigraphic analysis identified two depositional sequences in the western and eastern parts and three depositional sequences in the central parts of the study area. Comparing the sea-level curve of Late Maastrichtian time in the Kopet-Dagh Basin with the global sea-level curve for the same time interval, there are some geometrical similarities and differences. The variations in the Basin are related to regional tectonic settings and sediment loading of the study area. Reconstructions of depositional environment during eight time slices of the Late Maastrichtian are presented. These results could be used for comparison with other localities worldwide and provide additional data for Late Cretaceous paleogeographic reconstructions.     

Lessons Learnt from Spatially Resolved Electro‐ and Photoluminescence Imaging: Interfacial Delamination in CH3NH3PbI3 Planar Perovskite Solar Cells upon Illumination

The influence of illumination on the long‐term performance of planar structured perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is investigated using fast and spatially resolved luminescence imaging. The authors analyze the effect of illuminated current density–voltage (J–V) and light‐soaking measurements on pristine PSCs by providing visual evidence for the spatial inhomogeneous evolution of device performance. Regions that are exposed to light initially produce stronger electroluminescence signals than surrounding unilluminated regions, mainly due to a lower contact resistance and, possibly, higher charge collection efficiency. Over a period of several days, however, these initially illuminated regions appear to degrade more quickly despite the device being stored in a dark, moisture‐ and oxygen‐free environment. Using transmission electron microscopy, this accelerated degradation is attributed to delamination between the perovskite and the titanium dioxide (TiO₂) layer. An ion migration mechanism is proposed for this delamination process, which is in accordance with previous current–voltage hysteresis observations. These results provide evidence for the intrinsic instability of CH₃NH₃PbI₃‐based devices under illumination and have major implications for the design of PSCs from the standpoint of long‐term performance and stability.     

Impact of physical aquatic parameters on the annual rhythmicity of sex steroid and cortisol and their interrelationship in two distantly related fish population

A chronological relationship between the annual profiles of stress hormone cortisol and male (testosterone and 11-keto testosterone) and female (17β-estradiol) sex steroids, the key regulator of annual reproductive cycle has been sought in two different group of fish (Mystus gulio and Parambassis ranga) under natural photothermal conditions. The serum samples were collected at two different times in each month (from January to December) and the same was repeated for two consecutive years throughout an annual cycle. The fluctuations of major physical factors (temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide) and presence of three important heavy metals were also estimated accordingly. Therefore, the present study aims to explore the rhythmic responses of sex steroids and cortisol to assess the impact of different environmental stressors on selected fish species. We tried to develop a realistic conceptual idea to analyze and predict the effect of changing environmental parameters on the possible shift in the rhythmicity of aforesaid hormones in two different groups of fish and their adaptive responses to thrive in such environment. Our results indicated that the fluctuation of circannual rhythms of testosterone, 17-β estradiol and 11-KT varied according to species, was related with the physical factors of the aquatic system and temperature was the most important factor among them. This information might help to frame the reproductive strategies for different fish species, as well.     

Evaluation of growth and phycobiliprotein composition of cyanobacteria isolates cultivated in different nitrogen sources

Phycobiliproteins, light-harvesting pigments found in cyanobacteria and in some eukaryotic algae, have numerous commercial applications in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Colorant production from cyanobacteria offers advantages over their production from higher plants, as cyanobacteria have fast growth rate and high photosynthetic efficiency and require less space. In this study, three cyanobacteria strains were studied for phycobiliprotein production and the influence of sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate and ammonium chloride on the growth and phycobiliprotein composition of the strains were evaluated. In the batch culture period of 12 days, Phormidium sp. and Pseudoscillatoria sp. were able to utilize all tested nitrogen sources; however, ammonium chloride was the best nitrogen source for both strains to achieve maximum growth rate μ?=?0.284?±?0.03 and μ?=?0.274?±?0.13 day^?1, chlorophyll a 16.2?±? 0.5 and 12.2?±? 0.2 mg L^?1, and phycobiliprotein contents 19.38?±?0.09 and 19.99?±?0.14% of dry weight, whereas, for Arthrospira platensis, the highest growth rate of μ?=?0.304?±?0.0 day^?1, chlorophyll a 19.1?±?0.5 mg L^?1, and phycobiliprotein content of 22.27?±?0.21% of dry weight were achieved with sodium nitrate. The phycocyanin from the lyophilized cyanobacterial biomass was extracted using calcium chloride and food grade purity (A₆₂₀/A₂₈₀ ratio >?0.7) was achieved. Furthermore, phycocyanin was purified using two-step chromatographic method and the analytical grade purity (A₆₂₀/A₂₈₀ ratio >?4) was attained. SDS-PAGE demonstrated the purity and presence of two bands corresponding to α- and β-subunits of the C-phycocyanin. The results showed that Phormidium sp. and Pseudoscillatoria sp. could be good candidates for phycocyanin production.